Welcome to “Never, Ever Gamble on the MAC”! This is a weekly gambling/non-gambling series where I make five picks against the spread and you do the following:
Don’t listen to my advice,
Follow your heart instead,
And just be wise enough to remember that you’re putting real money down on gambling what the outcomes of Mid-American Conference football games could be.
All odds used below are from various sportsbooks, visible through VegasInsider.
Previous picks: Conference win totals | Week 1 (3-2 record)
Last week I correctly picked Buffalo -3.5 vs. Lafayette, Toledo -27.5 vs. Duquesne, and Western Michigan covering +24.5 at Wisconsin. I was wrong about Ohio -48.5 vs. Akron by a field goal, and way off on Fordham +15.5 vs. Bowling Green.
One day I’ll have to set up a spreadsheet to track my correct + incorrect picks with what my theoretical winnings of the week could’ve been. However today’s not that day, and I’ll definitely make it a note to get that done before, mmm, I suppose by the end of September is a long enough deadline to give myself here.
Until then, I’ve got a winning record and sometimes that’s really all we’re looking for.
5 ATS PICKS (WEEK 2)
Eastern Michigan +24.5 at Washington
For the fifteenth time, I truly believe this game will not be decided by 4 possessions for the defending national championship runners-up. Washington’s O-line is an issue and EMU’s revamped defensive line may or may not be able to make some plays through it all.
Toledo -19.5 vs. UMass
I don’t really have to explain my reasoning here, do I?
Northern Illinois +29.5 at #5 Notre Dame
I don’t have a good read on this game either way if we’re being completely honest. Cheers to high hopes, I guess.
Central Michigan -4.5 at Florida International
Even though I don’t think very highly of CMU’s opponent last week, I don’t think CMU’s incapable of having some of its scoring abilities translate into this game.
Ohio +1.5 vs. South Alabama
Having 200+ rushing yards against Syracuse is having an effect on my decision here. Sure Kyle McCord showed that this secondary has some problems it needs to work out, but I think Tim Albin will have a strong enough game plan here to come away with a home win.
MAC GAMES I’M NOT PLAYING:
Western Michigan + 38.5 at #2 Ohio State
#8 Penn State -32.5 vs. Bowling Green
Buffalo +34.5 vs. #9 Missouri
Rutgers -22.5 vs. Akron
Ball State -2.5 vs. Missouri State
No lines for: Kent State vs. St. Francis